Transfer of Rötelmaus: Hantavirus spreads in the Bavarian forest

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August 23, 2019

Little mouse, big consequences: In the Bavarian forest, the Hantavirus is on the rise. Already in August of this year there will be a similar number of infections as in the previous record year of 2012. In the district of Freyung-Grafenau already 64 people have been infected, the majority had to be hospitalized.

The majority of diseases occurred in the last four months, said Christian von Luckner, a spokesman at the district office in Freyung, the “Bayerischer Rundfunk”. The Affected have suffered from typical symptoms for Hantavirus infections: fever, body and headaches, vomiting, and diarrhea. Some patients may have had impaired kidney function. Had died, but no one, Luckner.

In the district of Freyung-Grafenau, where the Virus was occurring on a regular basis, especially many of the cases in 2012 (69 cases) and in 2017 (46 cases). Since it had been 2018 one case, the previous 64 cases are particularly striking, said Luckner. Last year there were in Bavaria only 31 diseases with Hantavirus, according to the state office for health and food safety (LGL).

Mouth protection protects in the garden

Also in the district of Passau, the Virus was present this year, already 23 times, unusual for the area. The Robert Koch Institute (RKI) also confirmed that there had been a 2019 a striking number of Hantavirus infections. Nationwide, there have been 589 reported cases. The largest number in the same period in 2012, there were (1370 cases), the previous record year.

The Virus is transmitted mainly by Rötelmäusen. Due to a particularly large food supply, the rodents multiply currently, more than usual. The virus will remain in the bird’s eye, urine and feces are infectious. Most people, by inhalation of dust, with wounds contaminated Material touching or through bites and food. Just in the garden, and in sheds and garages contagion risk prevails. You want to avoid an infection, you should wear Mouth guard and gloves. A Transfer to other people and Pets is not possible, the same is true for vaccinations.